How To Catch Fire For God

Intro

Ephesians 5:14–17 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Illustration

Railroad For Sale

“1000 Sleepers for sale, makes for a good fire”

Many Christians Just filling pews, spiritually asleep

They are not concerned with evangelism or soul winning Proverbs 6:6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise:”

An old presbyterian preacher, Dr. Arther T. Pearson, in 1876 was called to a ministry that wasn’t “suitable for soul winning”

went home broken hearted prayed “Oh, Lord, set the church on fire!”

God answered literally

During Construction on the new church, they occupied an old opry house

He saw more salvations in the next 16 months than they did in the last 16 years of his ministry

Not only because the church caught fire but the people started to pray

When the church starts to pray the fire is not far away!

We need to do way with the formalities!!

“FORMALITY LEADS TO FAITALITY”

I don’t want to see our church burn to the ground… But I do desire to see every member of our church on fire for God!!

How can we catch fire for God?

1. Have NO Confidence In The Flesh

Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Depending upon the flesh leads to despair!

activities, building

We get too comfortable with what we can do!!

LET US INVITE THE LORD

2. Abandon Yourself To The Spirit Of God

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Fleshly desire

sports, work, money.

We don’t need more money, more fun, we need more God!!

Percy Rays life

Had the opportunity to have the star role as Jack the Ripper

Shunned by his family, later kicked out because he preached in a black church

surrendered to a life of celibacy (Married to his Church)

Almost left the church but he was asked “Would you stay for one?”

started Camp Zion where God is still working on people TODAY

3. Determine To Pray Though To Revival

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

How often do you pray for the Sunday school teachers, the church leaders, the Pastor

“God will not move in where he in not first prayed in!”

Peter raising Tabitha from the dead Acts 9:36-43

Peters release from prison in Acts 12 The people prayed!!

Paul and Silas in prison prayed and sang praises unto God!! Act 16

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God in Acts 2 They were gather and devoted themselves to prayer!!!

IF WE WANT GOD TO DO A MIGHTY WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY WE HAVE TO PRAY!!!

4. Unceasing Effort To Get Sinners In

Luke 14:23 “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THE DRAWING POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST!!!

The Bible doesn’t command sinners to come to church but it commands the saints to go get sinners!!

D. L. Moody (Renting pew)

He rented an entire pew and got scoffed

He filled the pew with some of the toughest sinners in Chicago

He prayed until every one of them all got saved

Then he had them all rent pews!

That Church that was sleeping was awakened all because of one man a shoe seller!!

D. L. Moody (litter girl he invited to church)

She didn’t come at first

He saw he again, as soon as she saw him she ran and he chased her.

She dove under a bed and moody dove in after her.

as he pulled her out he pulled 7 souls in to Heaven!!!

WE NEED SAINTS TO PURSUE AND PERSUADE SINNERS TO COME!!!

5. Unshakeable Faith In God

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Matthew 13:58 “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

BUT

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

William Carey a great missionary said this

“I’m going to expect great things from God. But I’m going to attempt great things for God!”

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

You cannot crucify yourself!!!

Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”